Upcoming Commemorative Coin Programs
Late last week, a bill authorizing a commemorative coin program for the Medal of Honor was signed into law by the President. This follows recent authorization for Girl Scouts Commemorative coins signed on October 29. With the schedule for commemorative coins filling up for the coming years, I wanted to devote a post to outlining future programs that have been authorized.
Proposals for commemorative coin programs begin when a bill is introduced in the House of Representatives or the Senate. The bill must be voted on and passed in the House and Senate, and then signed into law by the President in order to become law.
Under current law, no more than two commemorative coin programs may be authorized for each year. There are currently seven commemorative coin programs authorized for future years. The spaces for 2010 and 2011 are filled, and one program has been authorized so far for each year from 2012 to 2014.
2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coins
This program will authorize the production of up to 350,000 silver dollar coins "emblematic of our disabled veterans who, having survived the ordeal of war, made enormous personal sacrifices defending the principals of our democracy." The authorizing legislation for the program was signed into law on July 17, 2008.
The design for the silver dollar was unveiled by the United States Mint in August. The obverse displays legs and boots of three disabled veterans with the inscription "They Stood Up for Us." The reverse features a wreath of oak branches with the inscription "Take this moment to honor our disabled defenders of freedom."2010 Boy Scouts Centennial Commemorative Coins
This program will authorize the production of up to 350,000 silver dollars to mark the centennial of the Boy Scouts of America. The authorizing legislation for the program was signed into law on October 8, 2008.
The final designs for the silver dollar have not yet been announced by the United States Mint, although candidates have been reviewed by the CFA and CCAC. The CFA favored two obverse designs, one depicts three scouts saluting and the other depicts a scout and adviser on a rock ledge. The CCAC favored an obverse design featuring a scout in original 1910 uniform extending a hand to a scout in the modern uniform. The reverse design candidates feature different arrangements of the Boy Scouts logo.2011 Army Commemorative Coins
This program will authorize $5 gold, $1 silver, and 50 cent clad coins "in recognition and celebration of the establishment of the United States Army in 1775, to honor the American soldier of both today and yesterday, in wartime and in peace, and to commemorate the traditions, history, and heritage of the United States Army and its role in American society, from the Colonial period to today." The bill authorizing the program was signed into law on December 1, 2008.
The $5 gold coins will have a maximum mintage of 100,000 coins, the $1 silver coins will have a maximum of 500,000 coins, and the 50 cent coins will have a maximum of 750,000 coins. Designs will be emblematic of the concepts described above.
2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coins
The program will authorize the issuance of $5 gold and $1 silver coins for the Medal of Honor, America's highest award for valor in action against an enemy force. The coins will recognize and celebrate the establishment of the award in 1861, honor its recipients, and promote awareness of what the Medal of Honor represents.
Up to 100,000 $5 gold coins and up to 500,000 $1 silver coins may be produced under the program. According to the legislation, the design for the coins shall contain motifs that represent the three Medal of Honor designs for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and honor the recipients of today and yesterday.
2012 Infantry Commemorative Coins
This program will issue up to 350,000 $1 silver coins to commemorate the legacy of the United States Army Infantry and the establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. The bill was signed into law on October 8, 2008.
The design of the coin "shall be emblematic of the courage, pride, sacrifice, sense of duty, and history of the United States Infantry."
2013 Girl Scouts Commemorative Coins
The bill authorizing a commemorative coin program for the Girl Scouts of the United States of America was recently signed into law on October 29, 2009. Up to 350,000 $1 silver coins may be issued in 2013 to celebrate the centennial of the organization.
The design of the coin will be emblematic of the centennial of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
2014 Civil Rights Commemorative Coins
The program will authorize the issuance of $1 silver coins to celebrate the semicentennial of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The bill was signed into law on December 2, 2008.
Up to 350,000 of the silver dollar commemorative coins would be issued with a design emblematic of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its contribution to civil rights in America.
Labels: Commemorative Coins
posted by Mint News Blog @ 1:01 PM
24 Comments:
Thank you for the heads-up advisory Michael. As for me, and I'm probably in the minority on this, I'm personally boycotting future U.S. commemorative issues, especially after having viewed some of the "suggested designs".
It will take a long time for me to buy into any of the future garbage being planned & produced that the average collector is supposed to be thankful for buying. Why? The American Eagle fiasco of 2009 is the reason. The Mint has lost me for both the present and future.
First rule of any business: you don't insult and spit in the face of your customers. That's what I feel they did, and we won't be forgetting it any time soon.
Great to hear about some of the upcoming comms. As an Eagle Scout and long time collector I'm obviously very excited about the 2010 BSA comm. I hope they go for the obverse with the scout in the 1910 original uniform reaching out to a modern scout. The theme is the most appropriate and the design the most appealing. Will make for a nice coin overall.
It would be nice if they issued something along the lines of special packaging or anything that enhanced the anniversary aspect and/or made for something more rare within the 350K total mintage
The reverse of the Disabled Vets coin is gorgeous... too bad the obverse is such a horrid disappointment!
To 2:45:
As with everyone else, I'm upset about the recent American Eagle insult to collectors. But I'm torn here - why punish myself (and my collection) by not purchasing the commemorative coins that I like? I'm not going to 'hurt' the Mint, and they aren't going to change their ways. It just seems like people spend alot of time on here bashing the Mint and getting political jabs in.
Yes, it's a bummer, and I wish the Mint did alot of things better... but as far as I can tell, they're the only ones producing US coins for now, so our hands are a bit tied. I say forget about the Mint and just collect what you like - that's the whole point isn't it?
Sounds like I won't be buying any commemoratives until atleast 2011... and after that, not again until 2014.
Most of these coin designs are awful. I hope the 2011 Army and 2014 Civil Rights coins are good, or maybe I won't even care about them either... we'll see. My hopes aren't high.
Anyone else notice or have a problem with the fact that one of the boy scout suggested designs has a girl on it? Aren't they getting their own coin in 2013? Seems like an odd choice
Whatever happened to the NASA commemoratives?
"Anyone else notice or have a problem with the fact that one of the boy scout suggested designs has a girl on it?"
The girl pictured on some of the Boy Scouts designs is a "female Venturer." Males and females are allowed to join this program.
"Whatever happened to the NASA commemoratives?"
A bill was introduced this year proposing to release the coins in 2011. It has not been voted on. Even though there are already two programs approved for this year, the NASA coins are still a possibility. The legislation includes language specifying that the program will not be counted against the annual 2 commemorative coin program per year limitation.
Here is a full list of coin legislation introduced this year:
Coin Legislation Summary
"Whatever happened to the NASA commemoratives?" Yeah dude, I was wondering the same thing! When and how many coins are in the set?
So the legislation for the NASA coins includes language which basically states that they can ignore existing legislation which limits commemorative programs to two a year?... That’s nice. Should I play the broken record again regarding legislation that’s supposedly prohibiting the minting of proof eagles?
My son is currently in scouts, so the coin will make a nice Christmas gift for him.
And yes, there are female leaders in scouts. I know at least two personally and both are class acts (and their kids are also well behaved - a rarity these days).
To the 2:50 pm blogger
You may like the design on one side but the design you don't like shows your ill regard towards those who fought for you and lost limbs just to make sure you can make that statement.As a veteran I am completely honored to buy that coin.and you can please keep your comments about what the coin looks like to yourself if you think that is horrid.perhaps you should go over and lose your limb and see how horrid you feel then.It depicts the facts of war and what we gave for your rights.Get it
Sooooo a disabled vet is “only” one who lost a leg?... Certainly not. Sorry, but I side with the 2:50 PM blogger. I greatly appreciate the sacrifices that our veterans have made. But they could have come up with a better design for the obverse of this coin. The reverse does look very nice.
To the 7:53 Blogger,
The Blogger you are ripping on said nothing against Disabled Veterans!! He was commenting strictly on the design of the coin itself.
I would love to honor the Disabled Veterans by collecting a coin that actually had a worthwhile design that truly honored our Veterans. However, I agree with this blogger (along with many others who have commented about the design of this coin in the past), the overall design of this coin is pathetic, and shows the complete lack of design quality being demonstrated by the Mint as of late.
By the way... just in case you are wondering, I am not the original person who left the comment at 2:50. So there is more than one of us out here that believes the design is horrendous, as well as the lack of intelligence in your own personal comments and/or attacks......
Wow, maybe back off a bit on the vet blogger. Also, Don't even get me started on sacrafice my family has paid dearly for your freedom. You know just because you might think the design is horrid it obviously isn't horrid to some people.. You more or less flame the person because it may symbolize something to this person or one of those that it portrays more accurately? The design is supposed to have meaning not just glitz. What happened to respect?
Switching subjects, but you know that unless there are fellow eagle scouts on the board that chooses coin design, they're most likely going to pick the group saluting because "it's the most patriotic." It also is my least favorite, which gives them another reason to chose it. I agree with the other eagle scout that the scout helping the other scout climb is the most emblematic of the scouting program. That's my pick for the obverse.
A coin commemorating the mis-named "Civil Rights Act" which violates the 14th Amendment, effectively detroyed the concept of private property and freedom of association, and created "protected classes" of people? I'll have no part in THAT, thanks!
They are coins. I collect coins. I'm buying!
I like the second design on the boyscout coin depicting the older uniform which takes the scouts back in history to 1910.History is what coins are supposed to be about and showing that in this coin is the best way to show the history of the scouts.They should save the girl for the girlscout coin and maybe show a boy on that coin in a browny outfit.What ever happened to this country I don't no.Boyscouts are just that (BOYS).Girlscouts are just that.(GIRLS)
I'm very excited about the medal of honor coin and can't wait to buy the whole set.I think the designs shows a great meaning of what our soldiers give up for our freedom.Maybe the people blogging about not liking the design never gave much for their country.HooooRahhhh to the men and women who keep us safe.God bless you all and thank you for your patriotism.
So, I AM the 2:50 blogger.
Let's clear the air here - My statement was taken way out of context. As another blogger mentioned, I was only commenting on the design of the obverse - which I DO think is horrible. I made absolutely no statement about veterans, and to think that I disrespect them couldn't be further from the truth.
There is a huge difference between criticizing a coin design about veterans, and criticizing veterans themselves.
My actual thought behind the comment was that the Mint could have paid the veterans more respect with a nicer looking and more appropriate design. That's it - aesthetics. Apologies for any confusion.
Concerning the disable vet coin, I also agree that the obverse could have been improved upon. The reverse is excellent. I saw other designs for the obverse and thought,at least one, was better. As for the selected design, it seems odd that the coin is to commemorate the disabled veteran yet he is shoved off to the right side giving the most attention, when viewing. to the "abled vet". Regardless, it is nice that the mint is honoring those injured in war, it just seems it should have bestowed the obverse entirely to disabled vets, not all vets. There is nothing saying that another commemorative be approved honoring all those that have defended our country, abled or disabled. I am a veteran and was looking forward to this coin, now I'm not even sure I will purchase it. Perhaps the mint should have charged a little extra and given the additional profit to those disable and their families, it would certainly make the coin more appealing to me.
Hey, Steve, thanks for explaining the design on the disabled vet coin. Until I read your comments, I thought two of the three were disabled due to leg injuries and one was disabled in some other way. After reading your comments, I took another look and now realize that only the third vet is supposed to be disabled.
Since it is hard to tell what the design is trying to show, that alone makes it problematic. Even though my father received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star in World War II, I have to agree with those who don't much like this design. Obviously, I have nothing against disabled vets since I love my father, but I do have something against the design on this coin. I would have preferred a better design.
I think someone was trying to be too clever and lost sight of the true meaning that this coin should hold...that we should be honoring all vets including (and maybe especially) disabled vets. And, of course, we should also be honoring those who paid the ultimate price...all of those who gave their lives in defense of freedom.
Has anyone noticed that the Little Rock commemorative coin also has view of only feet (this time of students walking)?
maybe someone at the Mint has a foot fetish?
Steve and Limalo... I think you were right the first time limalo - the coin was intended to show two obviously disabled vets (hence center and right hand individual both have crutches) and the left hand individual intended to represent an individual disabled above the knee - not an 'abled' vet.
But I do agree with both of you that the design is lackluster and didn't get anywhere near hitting a home run on honoring our disabled vets properly. Yes, the foot only view has been done before and is too vague in its reference to disabled vets.
Interestingly, I read on another blog a good point; that designers and selectors of designs where faced with a difficult process because of wanting to honor disabled vets without degrading or dishonoring them in any way. If you think about it (and knowing a number of both recently and long ago disabled veterans), this was a fine line to walk in any depiction of a disabled individual - not to get all crazy PC, but a US coin design especially should never be insulting to those it's intended to honor. Just food for thought
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